How to Play the 1-2-5-1 Chord Progression on your Piano

On this
page you will learn how to play the 1-2-5-1 chord progression on your
piano.

On our main
progression lessons page, an explanation is given for the term “progression.” A
simple meaning for the term progression as it relates to music is, “to move
from one note or chord to another.” Hence, our main objective on this page is
to show you how to play the chord movements for the 1 2 5 1 progression.

It is very
important though, that you have some knowledge about scales, chords and the
basic theory on chord progressions. Why is this so important? If you want to
progress fluently through this lesson, then you need to know about these
concepts in music.

Click on
any of the topics below if you want to refresh your memory. However, if you
already have knowledge of these concepts, then you can continue to take part in
this lesson.

Like any
other basic pattern of chord movements, the 1-2-5-1 chord progression is built
according to specific degrees of the major scale.

The “1” is
also called the root note of the scale which forms the root chord. The “2” in
this progression is referring to the second note of any major scale which forms
the 2nd chord. Please note that all “2nd chords” in all
major scales are minor chords. The “5” in this progression is referring to the
chord that is built on the fifth degree of any major scale.

Therefore
if you should apply the concept of the 1 2 5 1 movement in the key of C major
then you will be using the following chords.